Managing the Risks of Owning a Vacant House Part 2

“Should I sell my house for cash in Tampa, FL or manage the property myself?” You’ve likely arrived at Ethical Home Buyers because you’ve discovered that owning a vacant home is no walk in the park. You’re not sure what to do at this point, but hopefully, the risks we’ve shared in part one of our article, as well as some tips for managing the home, will provide a little more guidance. This second part will continue our list of tips. Give us a call if you need immediate relief from your vacant home.

Keep the Home Staged

A furnished home won’t look abandoned. If your house is empty, consider hiring a staging company to place furniture in the home. Additionally, insurance companies have a threshold for what is considered a “vacant” home. By keeping furniture there, you can make it less likely that the insurance company will drop your policy.

Change the Locks

If you have rented out the home previously, there may be extra keys floating around. Always change the locks. Making sure locks and windows are secured will keep previous renters/owners from re-entering the property.

Keep Your Utilities On

When dealing with a vacant home, your first thought may be to turn off the utilities. Besides, you could save a good amount of money doing so. However, keeping the utilities on is a good idea for a couple of reasons. You can keep your lights on to deter thieves and squatters. If you do have the unfortunate experience of a squatter, it is better that they can flush toilets than to risk damaging your plumbing. Keeping utilities on will also ensure that pipes don’t freeze during wintertime.

Consider a Special Insurance Policy

If your vacant home sustains a theft or some type of damage and it has been vacant for more than a month, you will not be able to use your current homeowners policy. Ask your insurance carrier about a policy specifically designed to protect an unoccupied dwelling. Be warned, though, not many agencies offer vacant coverage and if they do, it is more expensive than a normal policy.

If you are looking for a quicker, more cost-effective method of dealing with your vacant home, you’re likely thinking “help me just sell my house fast for cash in Tampa, FL!” We can help you solve your problem.

For more information about selling your home in Tampa, FL, submit our contact request form or give us a call at 813-434-1152.